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Leadership

A passion for transforming lives

The Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council (WPLC) is a group of dedicated leaders who help shape the future of philanthropy at Indiana University. Members are actively engaged in awarding grants that support innovative projects across IU’s campuses—improving the student experience, advancing research, and enriching communities across Indiana and beyond.

Through their time, insight, and philanthropic investment ($15,000 over a three-year member term), WPLC members play a vital role in guiding the direction of Women’s Philanthropy and championing initiatives that create lasting impact. Together, we are helping to build a stronger, more vibrant IU for generations to come.

Council Members

  • Tasia Bade
  • Amy Carroll Balcius
  • Tiffany R. Benjamin
  • Maureen S. Biggers
  • Dawnell I. Block
  • Mary B. Boelke
  • Michelle Brawner
  • Laurie Burns McRobbie, Founding Member
  • Julie Christopher Maloney
  • Sarah A. Claymon
  • Arianna Cruz
  • Laura Davis
  • Sherri Salin Fritsch
  • Kristi E. Gaynor
  • Bonnie Gibson
  • Carrie A. Gutman
  • Tavonna Harris Askew
  • Christy West Hawkins
  • Erin B. Huntington
  • Jeannie Infante
  • Kalen I. Jackson
  • Alleen J. Keefer
  • Michelle A. Lawless
  • Chelsie L. Lindauer
  • Katie Lucas
  • Patricia A. Martin
  • Pam Meyer Yttri
  • Mary Ann Mitchell Holand
  • Lisa D. Patterson
  • A-Lan Reynolds
  • Kerri L. Ritchie
  • Tricia R. Runkel
  • Terra Seidel
  • Joyce St. Clair
  • Anna Maria Storniolo
  • Mehreen Tahir
  • Patricia J. Theil
  • Linda S. Watson
  • Dawn M. Whitehead

  • Kathy E. Anderson, Founding Member
  • Jacqueline D. Baker
  • Abeer Bar
  • Debora A. Bennett
  • Margaret Weiser, Founding Member
  • Patricia L. Brotherson
  • Mary Susan Buhner
  • Kathryn D. Callen
  • Anita H. Cast, Founding Member
  • Sylvia M. Collins
  • Mrs. Gayle Cook, Founding Member
  • Julie A. Davis, Founding Member
  • Andrea F. Dynes
  • Colleen Edwards
  • Lois J. Eskenazi, Founding Member
  • Connie J. Ferguson, Founding Member
  • James Fielding
  • Marie Levins Forrestal
  • Jane Fortune (In Memoriam)
  • Linda H. Friedlander, Founding Member
  • Penny L. Gaither
  • Nancy M. Gandelot Spearman
  • Helen Gibbons
  • Ellen J. Gignilliat, Founding Member (In Memoriam)
  • Lynda Greig
  • Dena Rae Hancock
  • Sarah L. Hanssen
  • Ann Harrison, Founding Member
  • Alisa L. Hendrix, Founding Member
  • Nancy B. Hunt, Founding Member
  • David H. Jacobs, Jr., Founding Member
  • Lacy Johnson
  • Jane M. Jorgensen, Founding Member
  • Kelly P. King
  • Dale Ellen Leff, Founding Member
  • Kathleen A. Ligocki
  • Jane Halagiere Martin, Founding Member
  • Darby A. McCarty, Founding Member
  • Sybil S. Mervis
  • Patricia R. Miller, Founding Member
  • Luzetta A. Newkirk
  • Nancy M. Norton
  • Kim I. Pressman
  • Melissa Proffitt Schmidt
  • J. Robert Quigg, III
  • Lynn E. Reichle, Founding Member
  • Colleen Riley
  • Kathryn Ryan Booth, Founding Member
  • Ann L. Rysenga
  • Janet K. Shoemaker Barrett, Founding Member
  • Michael D. Shumate, Founding Member
  • Jacqueline A. Simmons, Founding Member
  • Janice L. Simmons
  • Cindy Simon Skjodt, Founding Member
  • Kimberly A. Simpson
  • Janet S. Smith, Founding Member
  • Donna L. Spears, Founding Member
  • Kathleen C. Sprau
  • Sally F. Springer, Founding Member
  • Robin L. Steis
  • Judi A. Stewart, Founding Member
  • Judy A. Summerville, Founding Member
  • Sue H. Talbot, Founding Member
  • Viola J. Taliaferro, Founding Member (In Memoriam)
  • Martha H. Tardy, Founding Member (In Memoriam)
  • Sallie Jo Tardy Mitzell
  • Marianne W. Tobias, Founding Member (In Memoriam)
  • Melanie Walker (In Memoriam)
  • Margaret R. Watanabe

  • Irene Lilly McCutchen
  • Debra Mesch
  • Daniel C. Smith
  • Eugene Tempel
  • Patricia Peterson Danielson (In Memoriam)

We spent much of the last decade building our program—what could the next one produce if we spend it expanding our vision?

Laurie Burns McRobbieIU first lady emerita and founder of Women’s Philanthropy at IU

Questions?

To learn more about the WPLC, please contact us at wpiu@iu.edu.